Although grand resorts have been a part of Arizona`s history for almost a century, designers and developers of The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa know this property has achieved new heights in terms of grandness—literally.
Unlike the more traditional low-rise resorts in the Valley, this $180-million urban resort, managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.,(NYSE:HOT) under the Westin brand, tops out at 120 feet tall, offering unparalleled views in all directions. Located just 20 miles from Sky Harbor International Airport, Westin`s first branded full-scale destination resort in the area opened on Sunday, November 3 and is the centerpiece of the 730-acre, master-planned Kierland community.

Designed to pay tribute to Arizona`s famous landscapes and dramatic natural features, the 735-room hotel provides a picturesque silhouette that peaks with two-story twin bell towers atop the 11-story central structure and gradually steps down. The resort features 735 guestrooms, including 63 suites and 32 casita units, more than 160,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor function space. For relaxation, the Troon-managed Kierland Golf Club offers 27-holes of manicured grounds and wide fairways set against dramatic desert skies, wildlife, and native plants. Guests can float down the resort`s 900-foot flowing river, zoom down its 110-foot waterfall-shadowed slide or play tennis day or night. As an added benefit, The Westin Kierland is adjacent to and a short walk from Kierland Commons, one of the hottest new shopping and dining districts in Scottsdale.

The Westin Kierland`s full-service spa is a stand-alone building set within its own private pool and garden courtyard, convenient to both resort guests and local residents. The spa services area includes 20 treatment rooms and adjoins a fully equipped, spacious fitness studio outfitted with weight machines, cardiovascular equipment and movement classes. The separate spa/health club pool court features a lap pool and oversized whirlpool; secluded relaxation/meditation areas; and private cabanas.

The tri-level lobby features a central lounge area and a colorful and modern bar as well as the Ali-Shonak Library boasting floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with an extensive collection of Arizona literature. For dining, options abound with eight food and beverage facilities, including “Deseo,” which means “desire” in Spanish, the resort`s specialty restaurant inspired by Chef Douglas Rodriguez, renowned for his Latin-style cooking also referred to as “Nuevo Latino.”

Unrivaled by many, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa provides more than 160,000 square feet of flexible indoor/outdoor meeting space, including grand and junior ballrooms, 20 multi-function meeting rooms and an executive boardroom. The 25,000-square-foot Kierland Grand Ballroom is the ultimate stage for any size production, from large meetings and high-tech audio-visual productions to posh galas and charity events. The Kierland Grand Ballroom`s 24-foot open ceilings and state-of-the-art technology afford meeting planners the ultimate in flexibility and adaptability for events of all kinds.

Guestrooms feature Westin`s signature Heavenly Bed(R)—layer upon layer of fluffy down bed covers, comforters, and pillows—and its newest Heavenly Bath(TM)—a custom-designed Speakman(R) showerhead that offers a choice of spray options from light mist to massage needles, as well as velour bathrobes, oversized, Brazilian combed cotton bathsheets, curved shower rods to provide extra elbow room, and refreshing and invigorating spa amenities. Guestrooms also boast two-line phones including one cordless phone, voicemail, data ports with high-speed Internet access and all of the brand standards and superior services the Westin name is known for, such as Service Express(R), a “one call does it all” concept that allows guests to dial just one number on their telephone to order 24-hour in-room dining, call the bellman or room attendant, or have any other request filled.

Development of the 730-acre Kierland community was launched in association with the Herberger Interests of Phoenix/Scottsdale in 1989. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is a joint venture among entities affiliated with Woodbine Development Corporation of Dallas, Texas; the Herberger Interests of Phoenix/Scottsdale, Ariz.; Cook Inlet Region, Inc., of Anchorage, Alaska; and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Westin Hotels & Resorts, with more than 120 hotels and resorts in 26 countries, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Starwood Hotels & Resorts, is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwood.com.

For information and reservations, please call 1-800-WESTIN1 or visit www.westin.com/kierlandresort for a visual tour of the resort.

Please contact Starwood`s new, toll-free media hotline at (866)4-STAR-PR (866-478-2777) for photography or additional information.

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